Rams QB Stetson Bennett reveals reason for puzzling absence during 2023 NFL season - "Had to clear my head"

Stetson Bennett became a nationwide superstar after he led the Georgia Bulldogs to two straight national titles, ending his college career with an epic 65-7 trash of TCU in the National Championship Game. But that wasn't enough for NFL teams to see him as a franchise quarterback, mainly because of his arm.

Still, his life post-national championships had some... weird points. He was arrested and charged with public intoxication in January after completing the back-to-back, and while the Los Angeles Rams drafted him to backup Matthew Stafford, he was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list in September. His 2023 season ended before it even began.

Now back with the team after a mysterious absence that lasted for months, he spoke to the media about what led to his disappearing. His appearance on the "Unreserved with TJ Callaway" ended the speculation:

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"I went home for a minute. Kind of had to clear my head. I don’t know, it was a bunch of everything all at once, it felt like. Just needed some fresh air. And, you know, the Rams and all that were gracious enough to let that happen. I just needed a little bit of a break.”

Bennett has participated in the Rams OTAs and is set to resume full activities in the 2024 season, but there's still no expectation of him becoming the franchise quarterback whatsoever. Matthew Stafford will lead the team for as long as he's still playing.

Stetson Bennett's impressive college stats

The former Georgia quarterback holds the most passing yards in a single season with 4,127, breaking Aaron Murray's record set in 2012.

He was the MVP for both national championship games won by Georgia. He was also part of the roster that lost the 2018 national championship game to Alabama in a walk-off touchdown. In 2022, he won the Burlsworth Award, given to the best walk-on college football player of the season.

Bennett also holds conference accolades as he was named Second Team All-SEC in 2022. Throughout his entire career with the Bulldogs, the quarterback threw for 8,428 yards, 66 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. He'll always be remembered as one of the most accomplished college players in NCAA history.

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